Breaking: First Batch of Nigerians Fleeing Xenophobia in South Africa Returns to Lagos
- Over 200 Nigerians have returned from South Africa due to renewed xenophobic attacks
- Top Nigerian government officials welcomed the returnees, assuring them of support and reintegration assistance
- The next evacuations of Nigerians from South Africa are scheduled for June 15, 18, 22, and 24, 2026
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Ikeja, Lagos State - The first set of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
The returnees arrived at the Lagos airport around 11 am aboard an Air Peace flight on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Source: Twitter
As reported by Channels Television, the evacuated Nigerians were welcomed by government officials and others.
Over 200 evacuated Nigerians, including women and children, three government officials, and crew members of Air Peace, departed Johannesburg for Lagos.
According to TC News, security agencies, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and FAAN officials were on the ground for documentation and profiling procedures of the evacuated Nigerians.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and the Commissioner for Migrants and Refugees were among the top government officials who received them back home.
Top government officials assured them of support and reintegration assistance after their return to Nigeria.
The atmosphere at the airport was mixed as some expressed happiness at being reunited with their families and escaping difficult circumstances abroad; others appeared concerned about what lies ahead as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
The next set of evacuations of Nigerians is expected to take place on the 15th, 18th, 22nd, and 24th of June, 2026.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the arrival of the first batch of Nigerians who are being evacuated from South Africa as a result of the Xenophobic attacks against African Migrants taking place in that country.
Ojukwu made this known in a statement issued via her X handle @Ojukwu_Bianca.
She said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa in line with the Citizen Diplomacy imperatives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Ojukwu, Nigerians were at risk by continued stay in South Africa as they had been through a great ordeal and traumatised by the Xenophobic attacks.
"The evacuation operation is undertaken by Air Peace Airlines and funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria. There are 262 Nigerian Nationals and 3 officials on board the Aircraft in addition to the airline crew, and the evacuation flight departed this morning from Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg."
Source: Twitter
Nigeria Threatens Strong Retaliatory Actions against South Africa
The federal government considered possible diplomatic and economic measures against South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu rejected claims that affected Nigerians were illegal migrants and said businesses and families had been targeted.
President Bola Tinubu approved five evacuation flights as more than 1,000 Nigerians registered to return home voluntarily.
Source: Legit.ng
